The rise of social media and the emphasis placed on sharing and giving has led me to ponder the thought of opt-in boxes becoming obsolete in the not so distant future. Over the past few years the emphasis has been placed on building your list. I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked, “What’s the size of your list?” Having a list of subscribers is definitely nice and has proven to be very profitable for my business. It’s great to be able to send out an email and watch the sales pour in.

If building a list has been profitable why the heck would I want to see opt-in boxes become obsolete?

Let’s first take a look at how I have built my list. It’s basically been in the traditional sense where I have had a squeeze page or opt-in box on a sales page where I offer a free report or audio in exchange for the visitors name and email address.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about the barrier that this has placed on the viral-ability of my free reports.

First of all, less than half of the people who arrive at my ’squeeze page’ actually opt-in for the free report, free book, free audio, or free video. And I’ve got to tell you… the content in these free gifts is unbelievable. I absolutely over-deliver with my free gifts. I guess it kind of drives me nuts when I see people passing up such an incredible offer.

You can take a look at many of the free gifts that I offer my visitors and followers in the fat loss niche by visiting Fat Loss Quickie Free Stuff

Two of the books that I give away for free were actually selling on Clickbank for $47 each before I decided to take them down and give them away. Many of the people who read these books mention that they would have paid for them and I even received a request from someone asking if I could turn them into a physical book so they could carry it around with them.

I also deliver a significant amount of content in the Fat Loss Riches Report where I discus how to harness the power of social media to make money while transforming your body.

I really want this content in as many peoples hands as possible. I am certain that requiring the visitor to provide me with a name and email address in order to get the report will significantly restrict the number of people who read these information packed books.

I have been paying attention to my behaviors when I visit websites throughout the day and when I read emails from my fellow Internet Entrepreneurs.

One thing that I have noticed is that I can be absolutely head over heels excited to get my hands on a free audio or report as I’m reading through an email where the marketer is explaining what is contained in the free report.

As excited as I am at that moment, if I visit the page and there is an opt-in box chances are extremely high that I will not sign up for the free report.

If I was all hyped up and excited about getting this report and I end up not signing up for it, imagine how a person who just randomly lands on your page will respond.

When Free is NOT FREE

If I have to provide you with my name and email address in order to get your free report, I’m sorry, but your report is not free.

My email address is priceless. I value what enters my inbox and I don’t give it away to just anyone. Providing you with my name and email address is a real cost to me.

I have really taken notice of this with the rapid growth of Twitter. I can’t stand the auto DM’s that I receive after following someone and within that direct message they say, “Thanks for following me. Here’s a free gift.” That free gift is a link to a squeeze page where they are offering some free report, which in most cases is something that I don’t even want.

That’s not a free gift at all. Immediately the red flags go up and I think to myself, “This person is more concerned with getting rather than giving.” In order for me to get something from them I have to give something in return first.

The Taste Test

Lets face it. Most of the free reports out there are a means of providing your visitors with a taste of what they were to receive if they purchased your complete program or service. Why put up a barrier in order for them to receive the taste?

Lets use the analogy of a grocery store taste testing station where they are giving away free samples of the best chocolate chip cookies out there. You just walk right up there, grab your cookie, eat it, go ga ga over it, and then start telling everyone else that they should head on over to that chocolate chip cookie stand to get themselves a free sample.

Now imagine if this chocolate chip cookie stand was to require you to give them your name and mailing address before your get your free sample. To make matters worse you don’t actually get the cookie right away. You have to go to the customer service desk and verify your address by showing them your drivers license.

Would you take the time to fill out the form? Would you tell others to head on over and sign up for the free chocolate chip cookie sample?

Sure some people would go through that hassel, but it’s safe to say that most people wouldn’t.

Break Down The Barriers

If your ‘free samples’ were in more peoples hands how would that effect your business? If everyone was buzzing about how great your ‘free samples’ are, how would that effect your business? If everyone thought of you as selfless and truly looking out for the needs of others, how would that effect your business?

It’s time for you to break down the barriers that are holding people back from absorbing your free gifts and sharing them with others.

It’s All About Sharing

Social media is all about sharing. You see it everywhere. You’ll find links to content on Facebook, YouTube, Squidoo, Myspace, and just about every social network out there.

When it comes to Twitter people are constantly sharing resources and useful information with each other. When we see something that really grabs our attention we re-tweet it as a way of sharing it with others.

Make your free reports as easy to share as possible. Take down the barrier of the opt-in box and encourage others to pass it along.

Become a true giver. Don’t ask for anything upfront in order for them to receive your gifts. Share your gifts freely. If your free reports contain valuable information they will surely change many lives and will be passed along to many others who will benefit from your teachings. You will be rewarded in the long run and build a following much larger than you ever could have by requiring your visitors to give you their name and email address first.

Note: I owe David Meerman Scott a great deal of gratitude for opening my eyes up to these concepts. David’s book World Wide Rave is a must read in my opinion.

I also owe my mentor Deborah Cole Micek @CoachDeb a great deal of credit for first introducing me to these ideas years ago and for being the first to set me on the wonderful path of social media. If it wasn’t for Deb, I wouldn’t be where I’m at in business today. You Rock coach!

I would love to hear your feedback. Do you think opt-in boxes will die?

I have one up here on my blog, but notice that I’m not capturing names and email addresses in exchange for a report.

Do you consider your Twitter followers or Facebook friends to be just like having a list?

Will the rss feed replace the opt-in box?

Let me hear your thoughts and opinions. They mean a lot to me.

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